FANTASY FOOTBALL IN-SEASON FEATURES

This early injury report will provide in-depth injury information on key fantasy players that suffered injuries in the previous weekend's games. All player injuries will be tracked during the week via our Injury & Practice Reports which are published on Wednesdays through Fridays. Be sure you check out our Priority News often during the week as all breaking player news will be posted there.

QUARTERBACKS

Jimmy Clausen, CAR – Concussion

Panthers’ QB Jimmy Clausen has reportedly been diagnosed with a concussion and his status for Week 11 is in question. Clausen appeared to be hurt on a quarterback sneak in the fourth quarter. He did not leave the game, however he complained of a headache and dizziness in the locker room afterwards and the medical staff examined and diagnosed him with a concussion. He underwent neurological testing on Monday and he is scheduled to undergo additional testing today and tomorrow. If he isn’t cleared to play look for rookie Tony Pike to start in his place.

Kerry Collins, TEN – Partially Torn Calf Muscle

According to reports Titans’ QB Kerry Collins will miss at least two weeks after partially tearing his left calf muscle during Sunday’s game against the Dolphins. Collins injured his calf as tried to avoid a sack at the end of the second quarter. He limped off the field and into the locker room at halftime and he did not play in the second half. Collins, who has been fitted for a protective walking boot, had an MRI on his injured leg on Monday morning and head coach Jeff Fisher told reporters that Collins would miss “several weeks” with what is being called a severe strain. Vince Young will be in the starting lineup for the Titans this upcoming Sunday.

Brett Favre, MIN – Shoulder Pain

Vikings’ QB Brett Favre told reporters that he is concerned that he may have damaged the rotator cuff in his right shoulder after experiencing pain prior to and during Sunday’s game. Favre said that he felt a sharp pain in his shoulder as he was putting on a t-shirt during Saturday’s walkthrough and he felt a similar pain again during Sunday’s loss to the Bears. Head coach Brad Childress does not expect Favre to undergo an MRI and he believes that his starting QB will be able to practice on Thursday. However Favre is scheduled to discuss the problem with Dr. James Andrews sometime this week. It looks like he will be starting once again for the Vikings this upcoming weekend.

Ryan Fitzpatrick, BUF – Bruised Hand

Bills’ QB Ryan Fitzpatrick suffered a bruised right (throwing) hand during Sunday’s game, but he did not miss any playing time and he should be healthy enough to start in Week 11. According to reports Fitzpatrick’s hand was stepped on in the first quarter. He remained in the game, but he complained of pain and swelling in the locker room afterwards and he was seen with a wrap and on his hand on Monday. It isn’t clear if he had X-rays, however his hand doesn’t appear to be broken. Fitzpatrick told a reporter on Monday that the injury is “nothing too big” and that he doesn’t expect it to be an issue against the Bengals.

Matt Hasselbeck, SEA – Fractured Wrist

Seahawks’ QB Matt Hasselbeck fractured his left (non-throwing) wrist during Sunday’s game, however head coach Pete Carroll told reporters that the injury will not keep him from practicing and that he expected him to play in Week 11. Hasselbeck hurt his wrist at end of the first half and X-rays in the locker room at halftime revealed a crack in one of his wrist bones. He missed the first three series of the third quarter, but he was cleared to return after his wrist was secured with a splint and wrapped. Carroll described Hasselbeck’s injury as “manageable” during his post-game press conference and he indicated on Monday that the injury will not need surgery. Because the injury is to his non-throwing hand it won’t affect his ability to throw. So as long as the medical staff finds a way to protect the injury he should be able to play.

Chad Henne, MIA – Dislocated Patella

Dolphins’ QB Chad Henne will probably miss Thursday night’s game after dislocating his left patella (kneecap) during Sunday’s game. However the injury will not end his season and he could be cleared to play as early as next week. Henne’s kneecap popped out of place when he was hit in the third quarter. The dislocation was reduced on the field, but his knee was very sore and he was unable to continue. An MRI on his knee on Sunday night revealed some inflammation in his patella tendon and swelling within the joint, however the ligaments and cartilage appeared to be OK. Head coach Tony Sparano indicated that Tyler Thigpen will be the starting quarterback in Week 11, and while he did not rule Henne out of the game he probably won’t be active. The Dolphins have already signed veteran QB Patrick Ramsey and there is a chance that they might bring in one more quarterback for Thursday’s night’s game.

Chad Pennington, MIA – Dislocated Shoulder

Chad Pennington’s return to the Dolphins’ starting lineup lasted just two plays. Pennington has been placed on injured reserve and he will miss the remainder of the season after he dislocated his right shoulder during Sunday’s game against the Titans. Pennington’s shoulder popped out of place on the first play of the game when his arm hit OL Jake Long’s back as he followed through on a pass attempt. In stayed in for one more play and he completed a pass, but he was in a lot of pain and he forced to leave the game. According to reports the dislocation was reduced in the locker room, but there was concern that he suffered serious damage to the rotator cuff and labrum in the joint. He underwent an MRI on Monday and while the results have not been made public it looks like he will need another surgery to repair the damage. Pennington’s shoulder has been surgically repaired multiple times before so there speculation that this injury could end his career. Chad Henne is dealing with a knee injury so look for Tyler Thigpen to start on Thursday.

Mark Sanchez, NYJ – Calf Contusion

Jets’ QB Mark Sanchez, who bruised his calf during Sunday’s game, stayed on the field and played through the injury and according to reports he will be in the team’s starting lineup against the Texans. Sanchez said that he was hurt when he was sacked in the third quarter and he was seen limping between plays in the fourth quarter and overtime. According to reports he was having difficulty moving around the locker room after the game, but team officials aren’t concerned. He might be limited in practice this week, but he should be healthy enough to play on Sunday.

RUNNING BACK

C.J. Spiller, BUF – Strained Hamstring

Initial reports suggested that Bills’ RB C.J. Spiller would miss multiple games after straining his hamstring during Sunday’s game. However the injury does not appear to be too serious and he could be back as early as Week 12. Spiller pulled his hamstring in the second quarter and he was unable to finish the game. He was seen limping around the locker room afterwards and head coach Chan Gailey told reporters that he didn’t think he would be able to play in Week 11. An MRI was done on his leg on Monday and while the results have not been made public Gailey indicated that the injury was not as serious as the medical staff had initially thought. He won’t practice this week or play against the Bengals, but he could make it back in time for the game against the Steelers.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Ramses Barden, NYG – Fractured Ankle and Torn Ankle Ligament

Giants’ WR Ramses Barden, who was serving as the team’s number 3 wide receiver on Sunday, will probably miss the remainder of the season after X-rays and an MRI revealed significant injuries in his left ankle. Barden injured his ankle in the second quarter and he was seen leaving the stadium after the game on crutches with his foot in a protective walking boot. X-rays in the locker room reportedly showed a fractured bone in his ankle and according to reports an MRI has revealed a tear to the deltoid ligament on the inside of his ankle. It isn’t clear if he will need to have surgery, but it doesn’t look like he will be able to play again this season.

Jerricho Cotchery, NYJ – Partially Torn Groin Muscle

Jets’ WR Jerricho Cotchery, who injured his groin during the overtime period of Sunday’s game, will miss at least two weeks after an MRI revealed a partial tear in the muscle. Cotchery appeared to hurt himself running a route and he was unable to finish the game. He told reporters afterwards that he was in a lot of pain and according to reports an MRI on Monday showed that there is a “slight tear” in his muscle. The injury will not require surgery, but he will not be back until Week 13 at the earliest.

Josh Cribbs, CLE – Dislocated Toes

Browns’ WR Josh Cribbs dislocated four toes in his right foot during Sunday’s game against the Jets, but according to reports there is a chance that he will be able to play in Week 11. Cribbs suffered the injury at the end of a 37-yard catch and run in the second quarter. Cribbs said that someone stepped on his foot as he tried jumping to avoid a tackle and that caused every toe except his big toe to bend and pop out of place. As expected he was in a lot of pain and he was taken to the locker room where he was X-rayed and treated. The X-rays were negative and his toes were popped back into place, however he was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the day. Cribbs admitted that he was in so much pain that he didn’t question the medical staff’s decision to keep him out. Since his toes did not suffer any serious structural damage he might be able to play in the team’s next game. It’s just a matter of pain tolerance. We’ll know more about his status later in the week.

Percy Harvin, MIN – Sprained Ankle

Vikings’ WR Percy Harvin aggravated his left sprained ankle on a kickoff return in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game. And although he was seen limping in the locker room afterwards head coach Brad Childress does not consider it a big deal and he expects Harvin to play in Week 11. Harvin did not speak with reporters after the game on Sunday or on Monday, however Childress said that Harvin would be “just fine.” His ankle does not appear to be worse than it was before, but he will probably miss some practice time this week while he rests and recovers.

Derrick Mason, BAL – Fractured Pinky Finger

Ravens’ WR Derrick Mason, who had surgery to repair a fractured right pinky finger earlier in the season, re-injured the same finger during last Thursday night’s game against the Falcons and despite undergoing another surgical procedure team officials expect him to start in Week 11. Mason appeared to hurt his finger on a touchdown catch and head coach John Harbaugh has confirmed that he underwent a second surgery to repair the new damage. His finger will need to be buddy taped, splinted and wrapped, but he should still be able to practice and play.

Chad Ochocinco, CIN – Undisclosed Shoulder Injury

The nature of WR Chad Ochocinco’s shoulder injury is still unknown and his status for Week 11 remains a mystery. Ochocinco fell on his shoulder after being tackled in the second half and he briefly left the game. He was able to return, but he appeared to be favoring the injured shoulder. Nothing has been said about the injury, but there are reports that it isn’t serious. Hopefully we’ll get an update on Ochocinco’s status soon.

Mike Sims-Walker, JAX – Undisclosed Leg Injury

Jaguars’ WR Mike Sims-Walker appeared to be seriously hurt when he had to be carried off the field in the second quarter with a lower leg injury. But he didn’t go to the locker room and he was able to walk it off on the sideline and return to the game. The exact nature of the injury is still unknown, but according to reports Sims-Walker returned to “full speed” and played in the second half without a problem. Expect him to start in Week 11.

Hines Ward, PIT – Concussion

Steelers’ WR Hines Ward appears to be OK after leaving Sunday night’s game with a concussion. Ward was hurt when he was hit in the head after making a catch in the first quarter. The blow to the head appeared to knock him unconscious and he dropped the ball which resulted in the pass being ruled incomplete after a video review. Ward had to be escorted off the field and he stumbled twice as he headed for the sideline. He was examined on the sideline and he was diagnosed with a concussion, and as per the NFL’s concussion policy he was not allowed back in the game. The severity of the concussion is still unknown and his status for Week 11 is questionable.

TIGHT ENDS

Kevin Boss, NYG – Lower Back Strain and Contusion

Giants’ TE Kevin Boss, who was hit in his back and slammed to the turf as he made a catch over the middle in the second half on Sunday, appeared to be in a lot of pain as he left the game. However X-rays on his lower back and tailbone were reportedly negative and he has been diagnosed with a “lumbar strain” (lower back strain) and a bruised tailbone. Boss told reporters on Monday that his back was feeling “tender.” He’ll probably be limited in practice, but the good news is that the team still expects him start in Week 11 against the Eagles.

Jacob Tamme, IND – Lower Back Soreness

Colts’ TE Jacob Tamme, who entered Sunday’s game with a lower back injury, apparently aggravated the injury in the second half and according to reports he “could barely walk” afterwards. As expected Tamme was very sore on Monday and team officials believe that he will be limited in practice this week. However they hope that with rest and treatment that he will be able to play in Week 11. Check back later in the week for an update.

KICKERS

Mike Nugent, CIN – Torn ACL and Partially Torn MCL

Bengals’ KIK Mike Nugent will miss the remainder of the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament and partially tearing the medial collateral ligament in his right knee during Sunday’s game. Nugent, who was hurt on an onside kick in the fourth quarter, is scheduled to undergo reconstructive surgery as soon as the swelling in his knee is under control. He has already been placed on injured reserve and the team is reportedly looking at Matt Stover and John Carney as possible replacements.